Marin judge delays trial for accused serial killer Naso

A Marin County judge granted a trial delay for an alleged serial killer, but declined to give him as much time as he wanted.

Joseph Naso, who is defending himself against four counts of murder, asked the judge to postpone the trial from November until February or March, if not longer.

Naso, who has churned through a series of "advisory" lawyers, said he needed more time to prepare with his latest adviser, Deputy Public Defender Pedro Oliveros.

Judge Andrew Sweet pushed jury selection until Jan. 14, prompting Naso to complain it was still not enough time.

"This is really nothing at all," said Naso, 78, a millionaire who has refused to hire or accept a fully empowered defense attorney. Advisory counsel can offer limited guidance but cannot speak for the defendant in court.

Naso, a retired commercial photographer, is charged with murdering Roxene Roggasch, 18, who was dumped outside Fairfax in 1977; Carmen Colon, 22, found near Port Costa in 1978; Pamela Parsons, 38, found in Yuba County in 1993; and Tracy Tafoya, 31, found in Yuba County in 1994.

Investigators said semen on Roggasch's pantyhose matched Naso's DNA profile, and that Roggasch was strangled with panty hose that contained the DNA of Naso's wife. He also had extensive photos of Parsons in his collection, and admitted he dated Tafoya.

Naso was identified as the suspect after a 2010 probation search at his Reno home revealed a vast collection of photographs of dead or unconscious women in various states of undress, incriminating writings, sadistic magazines, and diaries describing sex crimes, investigators said. Authorities are still investigating whether he can be linked to additional homicides.

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Naso has pleaded not guilty. He says the photos are his private artwork and that the women are in staged poses.

All four murder cases are being prosecuted in Marin under an agreement among county authorities. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty.